HALLOWEEN

Halloween is around the corner, but with the recession slowly recovering, people are celebrating in more cost efficient ways.

In 2009, the total Halloween spending is estimated to fall 18 percent to $4.75 billion, down from $5.77 billion last year, according to the National Retail Federation's Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey.

However, Huntington Halloween stores' sales have been successful since the opening of the season.

"We opened in the beginning of September, and we have already had a $96,000 of revenue," said Kayla Crisp, employee at Halloween USA.  "I've had customers spend $1,000 on decorations and costumes in their first visit."

"We are meeting our projected sales goals," said Justin Gladwell, store manager of Spirit Halloween. "People love Halloween in Huntington."

The most popular costumes include dead celebrities such as Michael Jackson and John Lennon, superheroes, zombies, pirates and vampires.

"Michael Jackson is very popular this year; we can't keep the costume on the shelf," Gladwell said.

The average consumer plans to spend $56 on Halloween merchandise this year, down from $66 in 2008, according to the Halloween consumer survey.

"The most expensive costume we have is $150," Gladwell said.  "If you want a quality costume, you have to spend more money."

Gladwell said the best costumes are the ones that are the most creative.

"People should be creative instead of buying a packaged costume," Gladwell said. "With a packaged costume, four or five people are going to buy that same costume.  If you just buy accessories and pair it with stuff you already have, then it's more creative."

Crisp said instead of buying packaged costumes, more people are piecing together looks with accessories and clothes from their closet. This is especially true when it comes to ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s costumes.

"One example is a John Lennon outfit," Crisp said. "People can just buy the sunglasses, a beard and a beaded vest and just wear it with an old tie-dye T-shirt they own with jeans. You can be cheaper by just buying a mask and wearing it with regular clothes or just buying blood packets to become a zombie."

Crisp said people will find a way to celebrate Halloween. It just depends on how much the person is willing to spend.

"People may not spend as much as last year, but they will spend," Crisp said.

Deanna Bailey can be contacted at bailey360@marshall.edu.